What does Preamble of HEROES Act do?

This bill proposes to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965. The proposed amendment would include service as a volunteer firefighter or volunteer emergency medical technician as a public service job. This inclusion is specifically for purposes of eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

What does SHORT TITLE. of HEROES Act do?

This Act is formally titled the Helping Emergency Responders Overcome Student Debt Act, also known as the HEROES Act.

What does LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR VOLUNTEER FIRST RESPONDERS. of HEROES Act do?

This section amends Section 455(m)(3) of the Higher Education Act of 1965. The amendment expands eligibility for loan forgiveness to include volunteer work as a qualified volunteer firefighter or qualified volunteer emergency medical technician. It defines 'qualified volunteer firefighter' as an individual providing firefighting or emergency services to a legally recognized fire department or public safety organization, who is not directly employed full-time by that organization. It defines 'qualified volunteer emergency medical technician' as an individual trained and certified to provide emergency medical care, performing such care on behalf of specified organizations, and not directly employed full-time by those organizations. The Secretary is tasked with determining the minimum volunteer time required to be considered equivalent to full-time employment for loan forgiveness purposes. The Secretary must ensure this minimum time is not less than what's required for active membership in the relevant organization.

What does REGULATIONS. of HEROES Act do?

This section requires the Secretary of Education to create regulations. These regulations are intended to implement the changes made by section 2 of the bill. The regulations must involve consultation with public safety organizations, including firefighter and emergency responder organizations. One area of regulation will concern the minimum volunteer time needed for volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians to qualify for treatment as individuals employed in a full-time job under section 455(m) of the Higher Education Act of 1965. Another area of regulation will address the process for tracking and verifying volunteer time.

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HEROES Act

Last updated: 5/1/2025 · Introduced: 5/1/2025

Author: Daniel Goldman (D-NY)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill expands eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness to include volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians.
It defines 'qualified volunteer firefighter' and 'qualified volunteer emergency medical technician' as those providing services without full-time employment.
The Secretary of Education must establish regulations, including minimum volunteer time requirements and verification processes, in consultation with public safety organizations.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 2 more.

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